Whether for curb appeal, reducing grocery costs or pleasure, your garden project needs a realistic budget

There is something about the fresh promise of spring that nudges even practical homeowners to let their imagination wander. A small vegetable patch can become a backyard kitchen garden. A patchy front lawn can inspire a full landscaping redo. And for anyone thinking about listing a home for sale this summer, a few shrubs and fresh mulch can quickly turn into a full curb-appeal strategy.

A garden project can be one of the more satisfying ways to invest in a home. It can make daily life more enjoyable, support a healthier lifestyle and in some cases, improve resale appeal. But before your shovel hits the ground, it is worth planning the project with a clear budget, a practical purpose and a realistic sense of r...